Fun Facts about the Iditarod

The Iditarod is a race run each year starting on the first Tuesday in March. The Iditarod always starts in Anchorage and ends in Nome, however the race route alternates between a Northern route and a Southern route in the middle of the trail. This year we will be tracking the race taking place on the Southern route because it is an odd numbered year.

When the Alaskan Huskies are born they are the size of a large potato. It is amazing to think that they will develop so quickly into the fine athletes that they soon become. When they are only six-months old they are harnessed for the first time. As with all new things, it takes the puppies a little time to get used to wearing the harness. Each mushers team consists of sixteen dogs at the start of the Iditarod race. The dogs not only have to get used to the race gear that they will be wearing, but also how to work with their fellow teammates and musher.

Sled dogs definitely work up an appetite! During race season they can consume up to 10,000 calories per day. In order to keep a high level of energy, the dogs are fed a diet rich in fat and protein. The reason for this is that dogs use fats and proteins in the same way that humans use carbohydrates. The total mileage of the Iditarod in 2009 is 1131 miles. This will be completed by the winning musher and his team within 7-14 days. These dogs are true athletes when you think that this could be compared to humans running 42 marathons back to back!

Some notable mushers are:
Lance Mackey 2008 Iditarod Champion
Jeff King has won 4 Iditarods during his career
Rachael Scordis the first blind musher to ever complete the race
Libby Riddles the first women musher to ever win the Iditarod

There are lots of other notable achievements, these only name a few!

The idea of the Iditarod , was conceived by the late Dorothy G. Page to celebrate Alaska's Centennial Celebration. There were two shorter races first, starting in 1967 and 1969, until it finally developed into the race we have come to know today in 1973. In 1978, the first Jr. Iditarod race was run...after learning a bit more about the strength and stamina needed to participate in this "Last Great Race" would you ever consider running in the Jr. Iditarod?